Survey of the Book of Micah

I imagine many Christians can increase their knowledge of the Minor Prophets. Here’s a survey of the sixth book of the Minor Prophets: Micah.

Purpose: We will look at the authorship, purpose, structure and other aspects of the book of Micah so we would be more familiar with this part of the Bible and yearn to study it for ourselves.

Authorship

About Micah

The name Micah is a shortened form of Micaiah which means “Who is like Yahweh?”[1]

Micah’s name with the meaning “Who is like Yahweh?” seems significant in the last chapter of the book: “Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession?” (Micah 7:18)[2]

According to Micah 1:1 he was from “Moresheth” and this was a Judean town twenty five miles southwest of Jerusalem.[3]

According to Micah 1:1 Micah ministered during “the days of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah” (Micah 1:1).

Jotham reign from 750-732 BC, Ahaz reign from 735-715 BC and Hezekiah reign from 729-686 BC as kings of Judah.[4]

Reason 1 why it is by Micah: It was to Micah that the Word of God came to in this book: “The word of the Lord which came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.” (Micah 1:1)

Reason 2 why it is by Micah: God’s Word in Jeremiah said it was by “Micah of Moresheth prophesied in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah; and he spoke to all the people of Judah, saying, ‘Thus the Lord of hosts has said, “Zion will be plowed as a field, And Jerusalem will become ruins, And the mountain of the house as the high places of a forest.’” (Jeremiah 26:18)

What takes place here was after Micah’s day during the time of Jeremiah.

Here we see the Jewish religious leaders quoting from Micah 3:12 in discussing things with Jeremiah.[6]

The author is recognized as “Micah of Moresheth.”

Notice this verse also shows that Micah’s ministry was to speak to Judah though he prophesied about the northern kingdom of Israel.

Purpose

According to Richard Mayhue: “Justice of God versus the Social Injustice of Judah.”[7]

According to Mark Rooker: “Micah was concerned with Judah’s sin which called for divine judgment.”[8]

According to John Walton: “Micah is one of the few prophets who explicitly stated his purpose: ‘But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression, to Israel his sin’ (3:8).”[9]

Purpose verse: “On the other hand I am filled with power— With the Spirit of the Lord— And with justice and courage To make known to Jacob his rebellious act, Even to Israel his sin.” (Micah 3:8)

First chapter we see clearly God announcing judgment: “Because a calamity has come down from the Lord To the gate of Jerusalem.” (Micah 1:12b).

Predicted silence of God: “Then they will cry out to the Lord, But He will not answer them. Instead, He will hide His face from them at that time Because they have practiced evil deeds.” (Micah 3:4).

Destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem: “Therefore, on account of you Zion will be plowed as a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of ruins, And the mountain of the temple will become high places of a forest.” (Micah 3:12).

Assyrian invasion: “This One will be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land, When he tramples on our [g]citadels, Then we will raise against him Seven shepherds and eight leaders of men..” (Micah 5:5).

Restoration of the Temple and Jerusalem: “And it will come about in the last days That the mountain of the house of the Lord Will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, And the peoples will stream to it” (Micah 4:1).

Remnants of the Jews restored among the nations according to Micah 5:5-9.

Triumph over all the nations according to Micah 4:6-13.

The basis of all of this is based upon God forgiving their iniquity and renewing His relationship with His people according to Micah 7:18-20.

Place of this book in the Canon

This book helps us anticipate the Messiah from Bethlehem: “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”” (Micah 5:2)

Matthew 13:17 (KJV)
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Jesus came to pay a debt that we could not; to be our legal justifier to reconcile us back to a Holy God; only if we are willing to receive Him: “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23).

God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten son, so that whoever believes in Him, through faith, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus says if we wish to enter into life to keep the commands! The two greatest commands are to love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind; and your neighbor as yourself. All the law hang on these commands. We must be born of and lead by the Holy Spirit, to be called children of God, to inherit the kingdom. If we are willing to humble ourselves in prayer to Jesus, to confess and forsake our sins, He is willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who keep asking of Him; giving us a new heart, leading us into all truth!

Jesus came to free us from the bondage of sin. The everlasting fire was prepared for the devil and his angels due to disobedience to God’s law. If we do the same, what makes us any different than the devil? Jesus says unless we repent, we shall perish. For sin is the transgression of the law. We must walk in the Spirit so we may not fulfill the lusts of the flesh, being hatred, fornication, drunkenness and the like. Whoever practices such things will not inherit the kingdom (Galatians 5:16-26). If we sin, we may come before Jesus to ask for forgiveness (1 John 2:1-2). Evil thoughts are not sins, but rather temptations. It is not until these thoughts conceive and give birth by our own desires that they become sin (James 1:12-15). When we sin, we become in the likeness of the devil’s image, for he who sins is of the devil (1 John 3:8); but if we obey Jesus, in the image of God. For without holiness, we shall not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).

The oldest religion in the world is holiness through faith (James 1:27). What religion did Adam and Eve follow before the fall? Jesus, Who became the last Adam, what religion does He follow? Is He not holy? He never told us to follow the rituals and traditions of man but to take up our cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23). There are many false doctrines being taught leading people astray. This is why we need the Holy Spirit for discernment. Unlike religion, holiness cannot be created. It is given to us from above by the baptism of the Spirit. Jesus is more than a religion; He is about having a personal relationship with the Father. Start by reading the Gospel of Matthew, to hear the words of God, to know His character and commandments. Follow and obey Jesus, for He is the way, the truth, and the life!

God so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten son, so that whoever believes in Him, through faith, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Jesus says if we wish to enter into life to keep the commands! The two greatest commands are to love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind; and your neighbor as yourself. All the law hang on these commands. We must be born of and lead by the Holy Spirit, to be called children of God, to inherit the kingdom. If we are willing to humble ourselves in prayer to Jesus, to confess and forsake our sins, He is willing to give the Holy Spirit to those who keep asking of Him; giving us a new heart, leading us into all truth!

Jesus came to free us from the bondage of sin. The everlasting fire was prepared for the devil and his angels due to disobedience to God’s law. If we do the same, what makes us any different than the devil? Jesus says unless we repent, we shall perish. We must walk in the Spirit, producing fruits of love and forgiveness, so we may not fulfill the lusts of the flesh being hatred, fornication, drunkenness and the like. Whoever practices such things will not inherit the kingdom (Galatians 5:16-26). If we sin, we may come before Jesus to ask for forgiveness (1 John 2:1-2). Evil thoughts are not sins, but rather temptations. It is not until these thoughts conceive and give birth by our hearts desire that they become sin (James 1:12-15). When we sin, we become in the likeness of the devil’s image, for he who sins is of the devil (1 John 3:8); but if we obey Jesus, in the image of God. For without holiness, we shall not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).